Could It Be Low Testosterone?

Testosterone is a male hormone that helps to maintain muscle mass and strength, bone density, sex drive and sperm production in men. Often described as “Fuel for Men” testosterone levels begin to decrease at an approximate rate of 1% every year after a man turns 40. New studies are showing an increased number of men in their 30’s with decreasing testosterone levels.

Low testosterone is signified by levels that fall below 300 nanograms per deciliter (ng/dL) which leads to hypogonadism and even andropause, the male version of menopause. Though women experience a drastic decrease of estrogen levels during menopause, a decrease in testosterone in men can sometimes be so gradual that it goes undiagnosed and untreated. It’s been reported that the number of men taking part in testosterone replacement therapy has tripled since 2001 proving that men are no longer living with what was formerly thought of as natural signs of aging. What is most important before beginning therapy is that men are properly diagnosed to avoid any underlying health risks that they are not aware of.

How do you know when it is time to get tested for low testosterone? If you are a man aged 35 or older and you experience a combination of more than 1 or all of the following, it’s time to get tested.

Low Sex Drive – a drastic drop noticeable by a man and his partner
Erectile Dysfunction – difficulty achieving or maintaining an erection
Loss of Hair – not just male patter baldness, but also facial and body hair
Fatigue – low energy despite getting enough sleep or lacking motivation for physical activities
Low Sperm – noticeable decrease in amount of semen during ejaculation signifying a decrease in sperm count
Loss of Muscle Mass – a noticeable decrease in muscle mass and strength, especially in arms, legs and chest
Increased Body Fat – especially around the belly and chest area
Decreased Bone Mass – leading to osteoporosis, and easily damaged bones
Mood Changes – experiencing depression, irritability or lack of focus

If you recognize any of these symptoms, it may be time to see a physician but before you go, ANY LAB TEST NOW® can help you Take Control of Your Health® by getting the correct testosterone test. Many doctors have a hard time diagnosing low testosterone not only because again, the symptoms are often viewed as natural signs of aging, but also because most doctors only test for total testosterone levels. Though total testosterone is a small part of the picture, knowing your free (bioavailable) testosterone levels are also important along with knowing estradiol, Prostate Specific Antigen (PSA) and thyroid levels in order to receive a proper diagnosis. Having a good understanding of these levels before you begin therapy is the best way to determine if testosterone replacement therapy is a safe option. Monitoring your levels during therapy is also important for making sure that replacement therapy is effective and to insure that you do not suffer from the unwanted side effects and health risks associated with too much testosterone.

ANY LAB TEST NOW® exclusively offers two comprehensive tests designed to make sure testosterone replacement therapy is right for you. To find out more about our Pre-Testosterone Therapy Panel and our Continued Testosterone Therapy panel visit www.anylabtestnow.com and search testosterone for a list of applicable tests and their benefits.

Raising Awareness for Health Centers During Health Center Week

Have you ever noticed that when you get sick you always feel the need to find out what’s wrong? Who wants to go another day with a tummy ache, a sore throat or the dreaded sinus headache and congestion? Believe it or not that’s one of the many benefits provided by health centers. You might start asking yourself… “But I don’t have insurance, so how can I get service?” The good news is you have options at your disposal that will empower you to Take Control of Your Health® whether you have high deductible insurance, a Health Savings Account or Flexible Spending Account, or if you are uninsured.

A great example of available options is ANY LAB TEST NOW®. Though ANY LAB TEST NOW® does not treat or diagnose, it does empower its customers to be proactive about managing their health by providing direct access to blood tests, DNA tests, drug and alcohol testing as well as other lab testing services. After you get your lab test results, you can quickly call a physician with our AmeriDoc telemedicine services program. The doctor is just a phone call a way, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, and can treat many non-emergent care issues by phone, video call, or chat.

According the National Association of Community Health Centers, there are around 44 million people in the U.S. that are currently uninsured with another 56 million with high deductible insurance. This often makes health take a back seat to cost, which stresses the importance of price transparency. Can you take more good news? ANY LAB TEST NOW®’s affordable, transparent prices fit into a person’s healthcare budget, providing a solution that continues to support overall health and wellness. Don’t let your health take a back seat, without it we are nothing.

During the week of August 11 – 17 the nation celebrates Health Center Week. Why not take the time during this week to stop by a health center near you, check in on your health and thank them for helping to empower you and your loved ones to Take Control of Your Health®?

To learn more about ANY LAB TEST NOW®’s lab testing options stop by an ANY LAB TEST NOW® near you or visit www.anylabtestnow.com

Sports & Adderall Abuse

In the world of sports, an athlete deals with a number of pressures besides winning or losing the game. Not only does the athlete have to make sure that he or she is in optimal physical condition in order to perform, but they also feel the pressure from teammates and the expectations of those who follow them. In a day and age when there seems to be a medicine available for just about everything, it is not surprising that people, including athletes, start experimenting and discovering alternative uses for such prescriptions.

An example of this is the infamous prescription drug, Adderall. Known as the “study drug”, for those who actually need it the drug becomes a medicine that helps them focus on the task at hand. For those who don’t need it, the drug becomes a powerful stimulant that can be used as a performance enhancer or a pick-me-up.

Since studies have shown that the drug improves hand–eye coordination, strength and acceleration, there’s no surprise as to why this specific drug has gained popularity amongst athletes. To an athlete, Adderall gives them an edge with an energy boost in order to “rock” the game and go for the big win. The drug itself has become so popular in the world of sports that even national leagues like the NFL and the MLB as well as the NCAA have been forced to take action against those who test positive for the drug and have not been prescribed by a physician, resulting in a number of suspensions.

On many occasions, whether it be the desire to hang onto one’s youth or the constant pressure of needing to stay on top of your game, these athletes forget about the long-term side effects that a drug like Adderall could have on their health especially in those who don’t really need this prescription. The long-term side effects include risk of cardiovascular problems and stroke, depression, hostility and paranoia. Since May is National Physical Fitness and Sports Month, why not take the opportunity to help your athlete Take Control of Their Health and take a peek at their current state of health. ANY LAB TEST NOW® understands that achieving peak performance and optimal results takes more than just physical fitness. It’s a matter of getting the inside facts about your body’s true state of health. In addition ANY LAB TEST NOW® can be your partner in making sure your athlete stays in tip-top shape without any enhancers through one of our many drug testing options.

During National Physical Fitness and Sports Month Take Control of Your Health® and your athletic career; whether you are an athlete or you manage one, having the opportunity to know what’s going on inside your body, empowers you to Take Control of Your Health® with a well-rounded, drug free, comprehensive health and wellness approach. For more information visit www.anylabtestnow.com or stop by an ANY LAB TEST NOW® near you. Also, take the time to learn more about The Partnership at Drugfree.org’s Medicine Abuse Project, and help stop the abuse of prescription medications.

Getting in the Spirit of National Collegiate Health and Wellness Week

Going to college is a great experience. It is the time when you finally get to study the subjects you are really interested in and when you begin to work towards your future career. You are the one and only responsible for what comes next for Y-O-U, including meeting deadlines, paying bills on time and of course taking care of your health. Welcome to adulthood!

Now let’s talk about the process to get into college. Yes grades, tests scores and a comprehensive entry essay are a given; but the other side of this process believe it or not comes down to your health. Are your immunizations up to date? Have you been tested for venereal diseases? Some institutions may also require you to take a drug test. All these elements combined and perhaps an interview will determine whether you get in or not.

Next… Congratulations you got accepted! Now the grind begins, you are on a roll and burning the midnight oil has become part of your daily routine. You figured “why not I’m young I’ll catch up on Z’s once I graduate!” Ask yourself do these activities affect my overall health and wellness? The answer to that question is YES! Let’s be honest that midnight oil being burned is not just due to studying and once you graduate the time to catch up on Z’s decreases. It has been reported that some of the main health concerns on campuses across the country include lack of sleep, infectious diseases, alcohol abuse and lack of exercise.

The time to Take Control of Your Health® is now! You might ask yourself, but “how do I do that?” Perhaps doing the good old buddy system could work. ANY LAB TEST NOW® can be that buddy you need to help you stay on top of things and make sure you’re healthy. We have the tests that you don’t have to study for including titer testing, STD testing and overall wellness checkups. Plus, we have B-12 shots that can help you boost that energy after those all-nighters. Get in the spirit of National Collegiate Health and Wellness Week, increase your awareness about the importance of staying healthy, fit and get educated on how to do it. Visit www.anylabtestnow.com to find additional information on how to Take Control of Your Health® and visit a location near you.

Parents – Have You Heard of Molly?

Molly is the new ‘It’ girl on the club scene. She is the powder or crystalized form of MDMA (methylenedioxy-methamphetamine), a combination of plant fertilizer and other synthetic drugs. This new drug has similar ‘high’ effects as ecstasy but, can be even more dangerous because the drug’s chemical makeup is frequently altered. Molly comes in pill and powder form, and can be swallowed or snorted.

Dubbed ‘Molly’, short for molecule, she is considered the purest form of ecstasy. Since there are no additional additives to the drug, it has some users believing it is safe. The promise of ‘purity’ has made her a very popular girl not only among the club scene, but also at concerts and festivals all over the country. It has also become the drug of choice for teens to experiment with and they often mix it with alcohol and other drugs, such as marijuana.

The scariest part of Molly is that her users tend to be young. According to the CEO of Southern California’s Passages rehabilitation centers, users’ ages range from 16 to 24. They don’t realize they are playing Russian Roulette with their health and their lives. The drug has an innocent name and because suppliers advertise it as the ‘pure’ high it has an innocent girl next-door appeal to users. However, taking Molly is very dangerous with both short-term and long-term effects.

There are a number of dangerous side effects from partying with Molly. Due to the fact that Molly targets the brain, it can become extremely addictive. The short-term effects involve feelings of mental stimulation, emotional warmth, enhanced sensory perception, along with increased physical energy. In addition Molly can cause nausea, chills, sweating, teeth clenching, muscle cramping, blurred vision, and sometimes sudden death. The long-term effects can include Hypertension, muscle rigidity, palpitations, overreactive reflexes and more.

As a parent of a teen, what can I do? There are a number of things you can do as a parent. First and foremost keep the lines of communication open. Warn your child about the short-term and long-term dangers of partying with drugs like ‘Molly’.

Remember, there are a number of constant pressures and temptations for your teen every day. Giving them a reason to say NO next time they are offered to ‘Try’ the new ‘It’ drug can be life-saving. Getting them drug tested can be that defense they need to combat peer pressure. “I can’t. My parents will know” Raising teenagers is a hard job. Let ANY LAB TEST NOW® make it easier for you with the Trust, But Verify Program. For more information about available teen drug testing options visit www.anylabtestnow.com and find the nearest location to you.

Have a Heart to Heart with Yourself

Have you ever received that phone call letting you know that a loved one or a dear friend has suffered a heart attack or stroke? The reality is that 1 in 3 women lose their lives to heart disease every year, making it the number 1 killer of women. Why not change those odds and fight the good fight against heart disease?

To fight against heart disease, first you must be able to distinguish between facts and myths. One of the major myths surrounding heart disease is that you are only at risk if you have family history of heart disease. Though family history plays an instrumental role into your risk factor, poor eating habits, inactivity, obesity, diabetes, smoking, high cholesterol and high blood pressure also put you at risk of developing heart disease. Have a heart to heart with yourself and your loved ones. Create a buddy system to check in on your heart and hold each other accountable for doing the right things for your heart.

Check your cholesterol levels often. If you have diabetes make sure it is under control. Make the decision to lead a healthier lifestyle by developing healthy eating habits, adding activity to your day even if it means taking the stairs instead of the elevator and find a method that works for you in order to keep your stress level low to help maintain your blood pressure at a normal range.

You Could Be Supplying Your Teen with Prescription Drugs

Do you know what is in your medicine cabinet? Do you have prescription drugs left over from dental surgery or the time you threw out your back – just in case it happens again? Do you know how many of those pills you have in the bottle? Chances are if you live with a teen, they know exactly what you have in your cabinet and that you won’t notice a pill gone here and there – a pill that is worth $20-$40 and makes them the life of the party.

Two-thirds of teens who report abuse of prescription medicine are getting them from friends, family and acquaintances. Make sure the teens in your life don’t have access to your medicine. ANY LAB TEST NOW has joined forces with the Partnership at Drugfree.org’s Medicine Abuse Project to help educate our communities about this growing problem.

WHAT IS IT?

This initiative will kick-off a multi-year program designed to educate the public about the dangers of prescription drug abuse.

• Every day, more than 2,000 kids use prescription drugs to get high for the first time

• Prescription medicines are now the most commonly abused drugs by 12-13 year olds

• Unintentional drug poisoning is now the leading cause of accidental death in the United States.

WHAT CAN I DO?

STEP 1: MONITOR

Parents are in an influential position to immediately help reduce teen access to prescription medicine because medicine is commonly found in the home. But how aware are you of the quantities that are currently in your home? Start by taking note of how many pills are in each of your prescription bottles or pill packets.

Make sure your friends and relatives — especially grandparents — are also aware of the risks. Encourage them to regularly monitor their own medicines.

Give your child another reason to say no to peer pressure and ensure they are safe by regularly testing your teens for drugs with ANY LAB TEST NOW’s Trust but, Verify Program. To find a local ANY LAB TEST NOW in your area, go to www.anylabtestnow.com/locations/.

STEP 2: SECURE

Take prescription medicine out of the medicine cabinet and secure them in a place only you know about.

If possible, keep all medicines, both prescription and over-the-counter, in a safe place, such as a locked cabinet your teen cannot access.

STEP 3: DISPOSE

Take an inventory of all of the medicine in your home. Start by discarding expired or unused Rx and OTC medicine when your teens are not home.

Unbelievable as it may seem, teenagers will retrieve discarded prescription medicine from the trash. Find a medicine take-back location near you to ensure they are safely discarded.

Visit www.anylabtestnow.com/medicineabuseproject/ for more information.

Think Fast – How Many Pills in Your Medicine Bottle? What You Need to Know About Teen Drug Use

How many Vicodin or oxycodone pills do you have left in your prescription bottle from the last time you had a need for short-term pain relief? Ah, don’t remember, do you? Most of us wouldn’t – doctors give us a prescription for 10 or 30 pills, we take them as needed until the pain becomes bearable then we save them “just in case” we ever need them again.

Did you know the fastest growing trend in teen drug abuse is prescription medications? Yep, those young ‘uns are smart cookies. They know where you keep your meds, and they know you won’t miss 1 or 2 or 5 pills with a street value between $20 – $40 each. It’s party money to them, and unknown to you.

So, what should a parent do? Here are a few tips to protect your family from prescription drug abuse and the peer pressure teens sometimes face with their friends:

Many communities host periodic prescription drug “take back” programs. This means you take your unused or expired prescription medications to a designated drop-off location, and they’ll take it from there. Ask your local pharmacist about an upcoming event.
Consider a safe for your medications, such as Rx Drug Safe, or build a locked cabinet specifically for this purpose.
As you’ve heard many times before, “keep all medications out of reach of children,” meaning no low drawers or cabinets where little ones can easily reach.
Consider random drug testing, following our Trust But Verify Program.
Ask your physician to only prescribe enough pills to get you over the hurdle in managing your pain. Move to another over-the-counter pain reliever when you are able.

Parenting is hard, and today’s social environment doesn’t make it any easier. Help your teen and protect your meds.